England hosts Albania in World Cup qualifier Friday
England will play against Albania in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley Stadium on Friday night. This match marks the beginning of Thomas Tuchel's time as the new manager for the English team. England has been strong lately, winning five of their last six matches. Their latest victory was a resounding 5-0 win over the Republic of Ireland. On the other hand, Albania has struggled, with only one win in five games. Their last match ended in a loss to Ukraine. Tuchel's first squad for the upcoming match has some changes. Cole Palmer has been ruled out with a hamstring injury and will be replaced by Morgan Gibbs-White. Other players unavailable include Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, and Ollie Watkins. Miles Lewis-Skelly is set to make his debut for England, and Dan Burn may also play for the first time at age 32. The predicted lineup for England includes Pickford in goal, with a solid defense and midfield. Key players like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are expected to lead the attack. Albania's manager Sylvinho has called up Armando Broja, despite his lack of playing time due to injury. The team has no major absentees and includes stars like Nedim Bajrami and goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha. Bajrami spoke about the upcoming match, emphasizing the team's readiness and focus on qualifying for the World Cup. He acknowledged the challenge they face against a strong English side. The predicted lineup for Albania features Strakosha in goal and a mix of experienced and younger players looking to make their mark in the qualifier.